Conditional Discharge- Academic Papers on Systematic Review of Forensic Mental Health Patients on Conditional Discharge

Two linked academic papers have just been published which will be of interest to those working with patients on S37/41 MHA and on conditional discharge. 

Systematic Review of Forensic Mental Health Patients on Conditional Discharge: Part One – Quantitative Findings, Methodology, Limitations and Future Research - Sarah Kilbane, Maria Zamorano, Alison Romero, Mel Jordan, Shelley Turner, Jack Tomlin, 2025 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0306624X251357615

"This paper describes the quantitative findings of a systematic literature review of research on patients on conditional discharge from forensic mental health services in England and Wales (part one of two). Conditional discharge is a frequently used discharge option which allows forensic patients to receive care within the community, while subject to certain restrictions. In total, 23 quantitative and five mixed-methods studies were included. A synthesis of the quantitative findings identified factors associated with recall and recidivism, as well as positive outcomes for patients. Patients on conditional discharge showed lower violence and recidivism rates compared to those on absolute discharge. We develop hypothesized causal links between predictors and patient outcomes using a novel method of directed acyclic graphs (DAGs). The methods of this review, implications of findings, and directions for further research are discussed."

Systematic Review of Forensic Mental Health Patients on Conditional Discharge: Part Two – Qualitative Findings Using a Desistance Lens - Jack Tomlin, Alison Romero, Maria Zamorano, Mel Jordan, Shelley Turner, Sarah Kilbane, 2025

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0306624X251357614

"This paper describes the qualitative findings of a systematic literature review of research on patients on conditional discharge from forensic mental health services in England and Wales (part two of two). In total, 15 qualitative and five mixed-methods studies were included. A thematic synthesis of the findings produced familiar themes addressed in the wider desistance literature: tensions between agency and social structures; the importance of bonds to (in)formal social institutions and meaningful relationships; and the assessment of criminogenic risk factors such as substance use, antisocial peers and inadequate accommodation. We draw on the concepts of identity-desistance and relational-desistance and suggest that our findings encourage modifications or adaptations to desistance theories to better explain the experiences of forensic mental health patients (e.g., epistemic injustice, mental health stigma, shared decision-making). We discuss how insights from desistance theories can be used to support recovery in forensic mental health patients in practice."

Edge offers specialist training in the Social Supervision of Conditionally Discharged patients.  Click here to view our 2025 and 2026 Event dates.   If you would like to enquire about commissioning us for Social Supervision training, please email admin@edgetraining.org.uk